Automatic bookmarker



June 18, 1935. R. R. ROBIERTS AUTOMATIC BOOKMARKER Filed May 1, 1933 wmw EE IK Patented June 18, 1935 OFFICE AUTOMATIC BOOKMARKER RaleighRaymond Roberts, Redlands, Calif.

Application May 1, 1933, Serial No. 668,822

4 Claims.

My invention relates to improvements in automatic book marker and theobject of my improvement is to provide an improved construction of anautomatic book-marker, that is, a

device adapted to be engaged with some portion of the book and extendedbetween the leaves for keeping the place of the reader and adapted topass from leaf to leaf automatically as the leaves are turned by thereader. Also, an additional purpose is to provide a small handy markerthat can be incorporated into the book binding by being fastened toouter cover at time of manufacture of books. The long-felt need of asmall automatic marker by readers and owners of books, to preventfolding of leaves or pages, and tend to prevent the breaking of bindingand similar damage to books caused by placing articles in book oropening book and placing face downward to hold place, has been the mainfactor in conceiving this marker. It consists in the elements andfeatures of construction shown and described, as indicated in the claimsand in the drawing.

In the drawing:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of book equipped with three markers, toshow interchangeability embodied in this invention.

Figure 2 is a side elevation of the marker embodying this invention.

Fig. 3 is a top view, and

Fig. 4 an end view of the marker shown in Fig. 2.

Fig. 5 is a side view of a modified form of marker.

Fig. 6 is a top view, and

Fig. 7 an end view of the marker shown in Fig. 5.

Figs. 8 and 9 are end and side views respec- 40 tively of the markershown in Fig. 2 as it appears in place upon a closed book.

In the drawing the body or assembled leaves of the book, with which thedevice is shown in use, is indicated as A. The side covers of book as B.The device embodying the invention comprises, as shown in the drawing, ametal (or other suitable material) clip C upon which is mounted a coilspring at D. The inner surface of clip C is lined with thin felt R. Thespring E extends upward, slanting on an angle toward the open end ofclip 0 indicated as G in Figure 2. At the last turn of coil spring E attop, the wire is extended on a curve inward and downward, starting at Fto form loop or finger H. The wire forming spring E terminates in a loopH approximately at right angles to the axis of spring E. Loop H iscompleted by winding the free end of the wire upon itself at pointindicated in drawing at O. The free end of loop is bent slightlydownward and toward point D to form an angle indicated at I. The coilspring E is mounted on sleeve C at an angle to compensate the deflectionof spring "2! as loop H is lifted to place. As the pages are turned thecontraction of the spring forces the loop H downward on the succeedingpages or leaves, thereby holding pages down until they are again turnedby reader or user. 15

The construction of this unit is of any material, for sleeve or base,that can retain its shape sufiiciently to hold spring in place. Springconsists of small gauge wire, steel or brass. Various means are employedto fasten spring to base. The device as shown in Figure 2 is placed overedges of book B in Figure 1 at places indicated (according to claims) asK. W. M. It can be placed on any edge of B as shown in Figure 1 as K. W.M. The book is then held or placed upon table, etc., and cover J israised and spring 'E with loop H is allowed to settle to its positionwith the loop H resting on page L. As page L is raised or turned theedge of loop H engages edge of page L and is lifted until edge of page Lpasses beyond the curve of loop H, allowing loop H to again settle toits position on next page. The slight angle in loop H is formed at I toprevent spring from slipping when extra thick books are used.

The gradual turning of leaves lessens the thickness of book under loop Hcausing the tension on spring E to be lessened and allows spring E toassume its normal position. This condition continues until all leavesare turned and the back cover of book is exposed to View.

When book is closed the twist in loop H and angle at I serve as a mediumto hold pages apart. As book is closed the tension on spring E holdsloop H in. position so that it is not disengaged, thereby holding thereaders place until book is again brought into use.

The spring E instead of being attached to clip C may terminate at thelower end in a large loop P glued between the cover B and binding sheetof the book.

I claim:

1. A book marker having in combination, a

clip consisting of a fold of sheet metal, a coiled spring risingapproximately at right angles from said clip and attached. thereto and.pliable enough to be bent over so that the terminal of the spring may beheld beneath the tongue of the clip.

2. A book marker consisting of a base for attachment to a book cover, acoiled spring rising perpendicularly from said base and terminating inan uncoiled portion integral therewith and at approximate rightanglesthereto.

3. In a book marker, the combination of a clip comprising a flat plateand a spring tongue.

integral therewith, and a coiled spring rising perpendicularly from thetongue of said clip and attached thereto, and terminating in a loopintegral therewith.

4. A book marker having in combination a clip consisting of a piece ofsheet metal folded to form an upper leaf and a lower leaf, a coiledspring attached to the upper leaf of said clip with its axisperpendicular thereto, and having a terminal portion extending laterallyat ap- 10 proximate right angles to the 'axis' of said spring.

RALEIGH RAYMOND ROBERTS.

